Moran: Kansas troop reductions 'minimal'

Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth were not spared from the United State Army's announced force strength reductions announced this week.

According to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, Fort Leavenworth will lose 60 troop positions between fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2017. Fort Riley, meanwhile, will lose 615 troops in that time frame.

“Unfortunately, constrained defense spending has forced the Army to make difficult decisions,” Moran said. “However, it is evident the Army understands the contributions Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley make to our national security given the minimal reduction of Kansas soldiers.”

Nationwide, the Army plans to cut 40 thousand troops over the next two years, along with 17 thousand civilian employees.

Despite the draw down, Moran said Fort Riley will have grown 57 percent between 2001 and 2017.